Cirsium Trevors Blue Wonder

Description

Cirsium ‘Trevor’s Blue Wonder’ – ornamental thistle

Botanical name: Cirsium ‘Trevor’s Blue Wonder’
Common names: Ornamental thistle, plume thistle
Family: Asteraceae (daisy family)
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Habit: Upright, clump-forming
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 0.9–1.2m tall × 45cm spread
Foliage: Divided, green leaves; deciduous
Flowers: Nectar-rich, thistle-like flowerheads in rich violet-purple tones on tall, wiry stems through summer (June–August)
Scent: Not notably scented
Aspect / light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist but well-drained, fertile; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H7 (very hardy, below −20°C); USDA zones 4–8
Exposure: Open, sunny
Native range: Garden form; ornamental thistles of this type are native to Europe
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Cirsium ‘Trevor’s Blue Wonder’ is an ornamental thistle with nectar-rich, thistle-like flowerheads on tall wiry stems through summer. Striking and naturalistic, it is a superb magnet for bees and butterflies.

GardenAdvice notes

An ornamental thistle grown for its striking, nectar-rich flowerheads held on tall, wiry stems, this cirsium brings a wonderful naturalistic, meadow-like quality to a border, and is one of the very best plants for bees and butterflies. Unlike weedy thistles it is a well-behaved, clump-forming garden plant, giving height, movement and a long summer display of colour alive with pollinators.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in moist but well-drained, fertile soil in full sun to partial shade. It suits naturalistic, prairie-style and cottage plantings, weaving among grasses and perennials. Space about 45cm apart. Water while establishing.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Deadhead to prolong flowering and to limit self-seeding. Cut back after flowering, or leave some seedheads for wildlife and gentle self-seeding. Cut down old growth in late winter. Lift and divide congested clumps in spring.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide established clumps in spring, as growth begins.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free. It may self-seed, and aphids can occasionally occur. Otherwise easy in a sunny, reasonably moist spot.

Uses in the garden

Superb in naturalistic, prairie-style, cottage and wildlife borders, weaving among grasses and perennials, where its tall thistle flowers bring height, movement and a constant buzz of pollinators.

Wildlife value

One of the very best plants for pollinators: the nectar-rich thistle flowers are hugely attractive to bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects.

Toxicity & safety

This ornamental thistle is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

Ornamental thistles like this are magnets for bees and butterflies — plant one and watch the pollinators arrive. It’s a well-behaved, clump-forming border plant, not a weed, and looks wonderful weaving through grasses in a naturalistic planting. Deadhead to keep it flowering and to stop it self-seeding too freely, and leave a few seedheads at the end of the season for the birds.

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